[Yellow's Winter Wonderland: Holiday Trivia]

[JamesBrown]

Test your knowledge of Holiday trivia. Do you have what it takes?

 

 

Question #1:

The song "Winter Wonderland" is popularly known as a Christmas holiday song, although there is no mention of any holiday in it. It has been covered by over 200 artists. In what year was the song first recorded?

[Kaylee]

1960's I think lol but don't know the actual year 

[JamesBrown]

A bit earlier than that, Kaylee.

 

"Winter Wonderland" was written in 1934 by Dick Smith (lyrics) and Felix Bernard (music).

 

 

[JamesBrown]

Question #2

 

This is a famous Christmas tree:

 

Since 1933, it's been an annual tradition for the Mayor of New York to light this Norway Spruce.

 

What is the name of the complex where this tree stands?

[JamesBrown]

The famous Christmas tree stands in Rockefeller Center.

[JamesBrown]

Question #3:

 

The Jewish holiday Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Celebrants use an nine-branch candelabra, with one candle lit each night during the holiday, which typically falls during late-November to late December.

 

 

What is the official name of the candelabra?

[JamesBrown]

The candelabra used during Hanukkah is called an Menorah.

[JamesBrown]

Question #4:

 

Winter is caused by the Earth's axial tilt. When a portion of the Earth is tilted away from the sun, the sun's rays are less direct and more diffuse, bringing cooler temperatures.

 

 

How many degrees is the Earth's axial tilt which causes our seasons?

[JamesBrown]

The Earth's axial tilt is approximately 23.4 degrees.

 

If the Earth didn't tilt at all, then we wouldn't have seasons. Every area of the planet would get approximately the same amount of sunshine year round. If we wanted to experience radically different climate, we'd have to travel a long distance either toward or away from the poles.

[JamesBrown]

Question #5:

 

When we think of "Winter Wonderland" we naturally think of snow. And everyone knows that snow is frozen water droplets.

 

But how much water? How many cups of snow would produce one cup of water?

 

[Kaylee]

On 12/5/2018 at 5:28 AM, JamesBrown said:

The candelabra used during Hanukkah is called an Menorah.

 

I could've answered this as I celebrate it, but just got online. 

Edited December 7, 2018 by Kaylee

[LilyElizabeth]

I'm going to guess 4

[JamesBrown]

22 minutes ago, LilyElizabeth said:

I'm going to guess 4

 

I would have guessed something similar, Lily.

 

But the answer is actually 10 to 1. Ten cups of your typical snow will melt into one cup of water. Clearly snow is mostly air, which surprises me still.

 

 

[JamesBrown]

Question #5:

 

In Greek mythology, Hades, the god of the Underworld, fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of the earth. Hades kidnapped Persephone, which caused Demeter to become depressed and so the world bore no fruit or grain. When people began to cry out in hunger, Zeus ordered Hades to release Persephone.

 

(An amazing sculpture of Hades capturing Persephone, by Bernini.)

 

Hades complied, but first he tricked Persephone into eating a fruit, which compelled her to spend at least some time back in the Underworld (3 to 6 months, according to various stories.) So forever more, Persephone spends most of the year with her mother Demeter, and part of the year in the Underworld with Hades. When Persephone is with Hades, her mother becomes depressed again, and the world becomes cold and barren.

 

Thus, according to the Greek mythologizers, is the origin of Winter.

 

The final question for Winter Wonderland trivia: What is the kind of fruit, still enjoyed around the world today, that Hades tricked Persephone into eating?

[LilyElizabeth]

A pomegranate

[JamesBrown]

Correct, Lily! Well done.